Now that complicated on-board computer systems are under-the-hood in every car on the market, it has become difficult (if not outright impossible) for car owners and small repair shops to access the data that allow them to make an accurate diagnosis -- or even shut off the pesky 'check engine' light.

This fall, House Bill 228 and Senate Bill 124 aim to take that diagnostic information out of the domain of the car dealerships and back into the hands of consumers and small shops. From an article in the Patriot Ledger:

... While consumers appear content to keep their older cars on the road, they are increasingly discovering that their car's computerized systems may be conspiring to force them to turn to more expensive dealer repair shops even when those cars are out of warranty.

Most consumers experience this when they see a 'check engine' light or another warning that suddenly appears on their dashboard. When they bring it into independent (non-dealer) shops, they simply want the underlying problem fixed so that pesky light goes off.

...Massachusetts is now poised to solve this problem and car-driving consumers should pay attention this fall when the Massachusetts Legislature takes up landmark legislation that would force manufacturers to respect the right of consumers to access their own repair information.

What do you think? Does this bill have any chance of gaining support, and if so, do similar initiatives have potential to spread throughout the nation?